Score: +5 (8/3/3)

Napa County Grand Jury • 2023-2024

Napa County Building Department: The Good, the Bad, and the Confusing

Published: May 01, 2024 13 pages

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⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.

⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Findings and Recommendations 7 findings

The Jury found that Napa County has only one full-time Fire Plans Examiner. After this report was written, the Jury learned that the department had hired a second Fire Plans Examiner.

Related Recommendations (1)

By December 31, 2024, the Jury recommends that a qualified fire code plans examiner be hired to ensure the department has adequate coverage to meet the demands of the building permit submissions. After this report was written, the Jury learned that the department had hired a second Fire Plans Examiner.

The Jury found that all Napa County building permits must be approved by the Fire Plans Examiner.

Related Recommendations (1)

The Jury recommends that PBES immediately cross-train a staff member to cover the work volume during staffing shortages or vacancies. The department should not allow a position to remain vacant for any extended length of time.

The Jury found that as a result of staff shortages, projects throughout the county are delayed and customers are in a holding pattern pending approvals for extended periods of time. 8

Related Recommendations (1)

The Jury recommends that PBES immediately require compliance with the 60 (50) day rule for all applicants of temporary events license permits.

The Jury found that an annual golf tournament held in Napa County has consistently been allowed to not comply with the permit application rules.

Related Recommendations (1)

By December 31, 2024, the Jury recommends that PBES initiate a comprehensive review of existing policies and procedures regarding temporary events license permits to ensure future compliance and accountability.

The Jury found the Napa County permit matrix to be a complex five-page document that is confusing to the average applicant.

Related Recommendations (1)

By December 31, 2024, the Jury recommends that PBES modify the existing internal matrix into a format understandable by applicants.

The Jury found that PBES is currently without a formal process for customers to provide feedback, either in person or on the website.

Related Recommendations (1)

By September 30, 2024, the Jury recommends that PBES develop a customer feedback option, in person and online, as part of the application process. PBES should retain these records for potential performance improvement and evaluation purposes.

The Jury found that PBES does not assign specific field inspectors for entire projects leading to potential conflicting opinions about required corrective actions. COMMENDATIONS The Jury commends the continuing efforts of the PBES team implementing the online digital platform. The Jury commends the PBES’s dedicated staff who perform despite the challenges of staff shortages and cramped office environment.

Related Recommendations (1)

The Jury recommends that, whenever possible PBES send the same inspector to conduct follow-up inspections. 9

Additional Recommendations 2

These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.

R8

The Jury recommends that PBES immediately establish a protocol for resolving conflicting code interpretations by different inspectors on the same project. R.9 By December 31, 2024, the Jury recommends that PBES provide mobile compatible electronic devices for each field inspector capable of reviewing plans and prior inspection notes.
R9

By December 31, 2024, the Jury recommends that PBES provide mobile compatible electronic devices for each field inspector capable of reviewing plans and prior inspection notes. REQUEST FOR RESPONSES Napa County Board of Supervisors – R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, and R9 INVITED RESPONSES Director, Napa County Department of Planning, Building, and Environmental Services - R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, and R9 Chief Building Official, Napa County – R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, and R9 Napa County Fire Marshall – R2 Reports issued by the NCGJ do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code section 929 requires that reports of the NCGJ not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the NCGJ.

Commendations 1

CM1 Page 9

The Jury commends the continuing efforts of the PBES team implementing the online digital platform. The Jury commends the PBES’s dedicated staff who perform despite the challenges of staff shortages and cramped office environment.

Agency Responses 8

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.

City of Napa

July 16, 2024 • 4 pages • 1 response • Score: +1 (+1, 0, 0) View Details ▾

PDF

1 response to findings and recommendations

Response: Will Implement

Score: +1

(R6) in the Grand Jury Report (hereinafter "City Response"). The City Response was prepared by City staff, including the Police Chief, and presented to the City Council for their consideration. At the public meeting on July 16, 2024, the City Council approved this City Response, and directed the City Manager to submit this City Response on behalf of the City Council. Therefore, this City Response represents the required response to the Grand Jury Report from the City Council of the City of Napa, as well as the invited responses from the Police Chief of the City of Napa. General Responses: <b>F...

City of Napa

June 18, 2024 • 6 pages • 2 responses • Score: -1 (+0, 1, -1) View Details ▾

PDF

2 responses to findings and recommendations

The Jury found that as a result of staff shortages, projects throughout the county are delayed and customers are in a holding pattern pending approvals for extended periods of time. 8

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

. The Jury found current gang activity and recruitment is more apparent in middle school and even younger ages. The City of Napa agrees with the finding. F4. The Jury found that despite it having been proved to be successful, vocational curriculum has been eliminated within the NVUSD. The City of Napa agrees with the finding. F5. The Jury found that Napa County has little to no after school activities for teens and preteens. There is a need for organized free programs, including sports and other after school activities. The City of Napa disagrees partially with the finding. While the City of N...

The Jury recommends that PBES immediately establish a protocol for resolving conflicting code interpretations by different inspectors on the same project. R.9 By December 31, 2024, the Jury recommends that PBES provide mobile compatible electronic devices for each field inspector capable of reviewing plans and prior inspection notes.

Response: Will Not Implement

Score: -1

. By September 30, 2024, the City of Napa Police Department create a succession plan for the Community Service Officer role in the Juvenile Diversion Program, including program expansion. This recommendation will not be implemented because it is not reasonable. The City of Napa Civil Services Rules govern how vacancies are filled and require a thorough, fair and competitive process, and therefore the City cannot predesignate a replacement for any classified position. However, the City of Napa appreciates the Grand Jury's recognition of the importance of continuity in the Community Service Offi...

Napa County

October 01, 2024 • 3 pages View Details ▾

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Napa County

September 30, 2024 • 3 pages View Details ▾

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Napa County

September 30, 2024 • 12 pages • 2 responses • Score: 0 (+1, 0, -1) View Details ▾

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2 responses to findings and recommendations

Response: Will Implement

Score: +1

. By September 30, 2024, the Napa County Sheriff direct their communication staff to create a monthly review of their social media accounts, websites, and other digital communication channels to assure that information stays current. Response, Sheriff: The recommendation has not yet been implemented. The Sheriff will implement this recommendation within the timeframe identified by the Jury. The Board of Supervisors agrees with the Sheriff.

Response: Disagree Score: -1

or have their contact number or email manually entered into Everbridge by OES staff as they periodically checked the Nixle system for any new subscribers. The Board and Sheriff are pleased that this enrollment issue has been resolved, and new subscribers should find the process efficient and effective. Finding 11. Everbridge has not fulfilled all of its contractual obligations with Napa County. The Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff disagree wholly with the finding. The contract executed between Napa County and Everbridge has been reviewed by the County, with assistance from County Counsel, ...

Napa County

September 11, 2024 • 30 pages • 3 responses • Score: +1 (+1, 2, 0) View Details ▾

PDF

3 responses to findings and recommendations

The Jury found that Napa County has only one full-time Fire Plans Examiner. After this report was written, the Jury learned that the department had hired a second Fire Plans Examiner.

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

, the Agency is an active participant in a collaborative network of entities who work together to ensure that older adults are protected from harm and receive the support they need. The Board of Supervisors agrees with the Director of Health and Human Services Agency. Finding 3. The Jury found that the constellation of services available to the elderly is broad and complex making it a challenge for some people to find the resources they need. The Director of Health and Human Services Agency agrees with this finding. There are indeed a wide range of services available for older adults in Napa C...

The Jury found the Napa County permit matrix to be a complex five-page document that is confusing to the average applicant.

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

is incorporated by reference. The Board of Supervisors agrees with the Director of Health and Human Services Agency. Finding 7. The Jury found that an affluent population makes Napa County particularly vulnerable to elder financial scams. Experts predict that emerging artificial intelligence technologies will make financial scams a bigger problem. The best deterrent to this type of fraud is for potential victims to have the capability and strategies to identify them beforehand. The Director of Health and Human Services Agency partially disagrees with this finding. According to CDSS data on APS...

The Jury found that PBES is currently without a formal process for customers to provide feedback, either in person or on the website.

Response: Agree Score: +1

The Board of Supervisors agrees with the Director of Health and Human Services Agency. Finding 8. The Jury found that the elderly population in Napa County is increasing. As the elderly population increases, the demand for resources needed to keep them safe will also increase. Additional social workers and mental health therapists will be needed in the county. The Director of Health and Human Services Agency agrees with this finding. In 2040, it is projected that older adults 60+ will comprise 33% of the population compared to just 21% in 2020. Therefore, systems and services will have to resp...

Napa County

August 06, 2024 • 8 pages • 2 responses • Score: +1 (+1, 0, 0) View Details ▾

PDF

2 responses to findings and recommendations

The Jury recommends that PBES immediately require compliance with the 60 (50) day rule for all applicants of temporary events license permits.

Response: Will Implement

Score: +1

The Board of Supervisors agrees with the Director of the Department of Planning, Building and Environmental Services. Recommendation 5. By December 31, 2024, the Jury recommends that PBES modify the existing internal matrix into a format understandable by applicants. Response of Director of the Department of Planning, Building and Environmental Services: The recommendation has not yet been implemented. As staff are in the process of developing guidance documents to better inform the public on the building permit process, the matrix has been removed from the County's website to prevent confusio...

The Jury recommends that, whenever possible PBES send the same inspector to conduct follow-up inspections. 9

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

There are occasions when the Building Code may not be entirely clear, and the inspector may need to interpret the intent of the code language. When this occurs, it typically results in a discussion with the other inspectors and the Field Inspection Supervisor. In the morning before the inspectors head out for the day, inspectors will discuss code corrections from the prior day as well as review any issues that might arise with the inspections assigned for that day. This is an opportunity to promote a balanced understanding of the code across the inspection team. Currently, these discussions ar...

Napa County

June 21, 2023 • 15 pages • 6 responses • Score: +3 (+4, 0, -1) View Details ▾

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6 responses to findings and recommendations

The Jury found that Napa County has only one full-time Fire Plans Examiner. After this report was written, the Jury learned that the department had hired a second Fire Plans Examiner.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

, PBES staff only just completed an exhaustive effort to confirm the existence of and map the locations of all wells in the County (to the extent historical state and county records were available) and created a GIS layer with the locations identified. County staff will, on an ongoing basis, review any new or newly obtained records and revise the well count accordingly. The recommendation to report the number of storage tanks is not warranted or reasonable for the reasons provided in

The Jury found that all Napa County building permits must be approved by the Fire Plans Examiner.

Response: Agree Score: +1

. Despite the 2022-2023 storms, drought is still a concern in Napa County. Response of the Director of the Department of Planning, Building and Environmental Services and County Executive Officer: We strongly agree with the finding. As presented in Agenda Item 11A to the Board of Supervisors on May 30, 2023, the Governor issued a Proclamation of a State of Emergency declaring drought in several counties, including Napa on May 10, 2021. On March 8, 2022, the Board of Supervisors proclaimed a State of Local Emergency due to drought conditions in Napa County, pursuant to Resolution No. 2022-29. S...

The Jury found that an annual golf tournament held in Napa County has consistently been allowed to not comply with the permit application rules.

Response: Agree Score: +1

. Groundwater over pumping can lead to land subsidence, saltwater intrusion, decreased water quality, and depletion of aquifers. Response of Director of the Department of Planning, Building and Environmental Services and County Executive Officer: We agree with this finding. The goal of the GSP is to achieve sustainability by ensuring that there are no Undesirable Results in the Napa Valley Subbasin by 2042. To accomplish the sustainability goal, the GSP includes six Sustainability Indicators for the purpose of avoiding significant and unreasonable effects on groundwater conditions throughout t...

The Jury found the Napa County permit matrix to be a complex five-page document that is confusing to the average applicant.

Response: Agree Score: +1

, communication among these groups has been an ongoing theme and regular occurrence for many years. The County's goal, as stated in the GSP, is to bring the Napa Valley Subbasin into a condition of "sustainability" as soon as possible and by 2042 at the latest (to be SGMA-compliant). We believe this is a goal shared by our partners in local environmental groups and the wine/vineyard industry who have regularly expressed their commitment to responsibly stewarding the land and water resources. GSP implementation has involved coordination and collaboration in many different forms; we have provide...

The Jury found that PBES is currently without a formal process for customers to provide feedback, either in person or on the website.

Response: Agree Score: +1

, the GSA has undertaken numerous efforts to increase public education, outreach, and awareness of water conservation. The GSA is also in the process of developing the Napa County Water Conservation Workplan: A Guide for Vineyards, Wineries, and Other Sectors, as well as the Groundwater Pumping Reduction Workplan, to be completed by the end of 2023. See also Findings 5 and 8. The Board of Supervisors agrees with the Director of the Department of Planning, Building and Environmental Services and County Executive Officer. Recommendation 4. By June 30, 2024, the Napa County Planning Department wi...

Response: Disagree Score: -1

. The County permitting process is inconsistent, inefficient, and confusing to applicants seeking groundwater well permits. Response of Director of the Department of Planning, Building and Environmental Services and County Executive Officer. We disagree with this finding. Prior to March 2022, the County's permitting process was streamlined and efficient. Permits were issued in a timely fashion and the public was very familiar with County procedures. With the promulgation of the Governor's Executive Order (EO) N-7-22 in March 2022, as well as recent court decisions, the permitting procedures of...

No Responses Found 1

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

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